Spotify has introduced a new feature that could completely change the way people listen to music while running. The music streaming company has launched Running Mode, a new AI powered feature that creates personalised playlists based on your workout, running speed and music preferences.
For years, many runners have spent time searching for the perfect playlist before heading outside or stepping onto a treadmill. Some choose fast songs for motivation, while others create different playlists for warm ups, intense runs and cool downs. Spotify now wants to remove all that work by letting artificial intelligence build the right playlist automatically.
The new feature is another sign that Spotify is becoming more than a music streaming service. The company is steadily adding fitness tools and AI features that help users enjoy a more personalised listening experience. If you are wondering how Spotify’s new Running Mode works and whether it is worth using, this guide explains everything you need to know.
What Is Spotify’s New Running Mode?
Running Mode is a new feature inside the Spotify mobile app that is designed specifically for people who enjoy running.
Instead of simply playing a random playlist, the feature builds a listening experience that matches different stages of your workout. It can select songs based on the type of run you are doing, the speed of your workout and the style of music you enjoy.
The goal is to make every run feel more enjoyable by playing the right songs at the right time.
Rather than creating a playlist yourself, Spotify’s AI does most of the work for you.
How Does Running Mode Work?
Running Mode is available inside Spotify’s Fitness Hub.
When you open the feature, you can choose from one of twenty five workout presets. These presets are designed for different types of running sessions.
For example, you can choose an interval run, where your speed changes throughout the workout. You can also choose a steady run if you plan to maintain the same pace from start to finish.
There is also a pyramid workout, which gradually increases and then decreases your running intensity.
After selecting your workout type, you can customise several settings.
You can choose how long you plan to run, the beats per minute you want your music to have and the type of music you enjoy listening to.
Spotify then uses this information to create a playlist that fits your workout.
AI Does More Than Just Pick Songs
One of the most interesting parts of Running Mode is the way Spotify uses artificial intelligence.
Instead of simply recommending songs based on your listening history, the system also considers the structure of your workout.
For example, your run may begin with a warm up before moving into a faster pace. Later, you may slow down for recovery before finishing with a cool down.
Spotify’s AI adjusts the music to match these different stages.
This creates a smoother experience than listening to songs in a random order.
Audio Coaching During Your Run
Running Mode is not only about music.
Spotify can also provide audio cues while you are running.
These short voice messages let you know when it is time to change pace, speed up or move into the next stage of your workout.
This makes the feature feel a little like having a personal running coach in your ear.
At the moment, these voice instructions are only available in English.
Spotify may expand support to more languages in the future.
Inspired by How People Already Use Spotify
Spotify says the idea for Running Mode came from observing how people already use its platform.
Many users have been using Spotify’s AI playlist tools to create playlists for workouts, gym sessions and outdoor runs.
The company noticed that fitness related playlists were becoming increasingly popular.
Instead of asking users to build these playlists manually every time, Spotify decided to automate the process using artificial intelligence.
The result is a feature that can quickly generate workout music without requiring much effort from the user.
Spotify Is Becoming a Fitness Platform
The launch of Running Mode is part of a much bigger strategy.
Over the past year, Spotify has introduced several features that go beyond music streaming.
Earlier this year, the company partnered with fitness equipment maker Peloton to bring more fitness content to users.
The company has also been investing heavily in artificial intelligence to improve playlist recommendations and personalise the listening experience.
Running Mode combines both of these goals by bringing AI and fitness together in a single feature.
Why Music Matters During Exercise
Many people already know that music can make exercise feel easier.
Fast songs often help runners maintain their energy and stay motivated during difficult parts of a workout.
Music can also reduce boredom during long runs and make people feel more focused.
Although everyone’s experience is different, many runners naturally adjust their pace to match the rhythm of the music they hear.
By selecting songs with the right tempo, Spotify hopes to make workouts feel more enjoyable and more consistent.
Who Can Use Running Mode?
The feature is currently available to Spotify Premium subscribers.
At launch, it is available on iPhones in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Sweden.
If you use Android or live outside these countries, you may need to wait until Spotify expands the rollout.
Like many new features, Running Mode is expected to become available to more users over time.
How Running Mode Differs From Regular Playlists
Traditional playlists remain exactly the same from one workout to another.
Running Mode is different because it adapts to your preferences and workout settings.
Instead of listening to the same songs in the same order every time, the feature creates a playlist based on the type of run you choose.
It also includes coaching prompts and music that better matches different parts of your workout.
This makes the experience feel more personalised than simply pressing play on a saved playlist.
What This Means for Spotify
Running Mode shows that Spotify wants to become more than just a place to stream music.
The company is using artificial intelligence to solve everyday problems for users instead of simply recommending songs.
As competition among music streaming platforms continues to grow, features like this help Spotify stand out.
It also places Spotify closer to fitness apps that combine exercise tracking, coaching and personalised experiences.
If the feature becomes popular, Spotify could introduce similar AI powered tools for cycling, walking, strength training and other types of exercise in the future.
The Bottom Line
Spotify’s new Running Mode creates the perfect playlist for every run by combining artificial intelligence, personalised music recommendations and workout guidance into one simple feature. Instead of spending time searching for songs or creating playlists before every workout, runners can now let Spotify handle the entire music experience based on their running style and preferences.
The feature also shows how artificial intelligence is changing the way people interact with music. Rather than simply recommending songs you might like, AI is beginning to understand the context in which you listen, whether you are relaxing, working, studying or exercising. This creates a much more personal experience that fits your daily activities.
As Spotify continues investing in AI and fitness features, Running Mode may be only the beginning. If future updates expand the feature to more devices, countries and workout types, Spotify could become one of the most useful fitness companions for millions of people who enjoy staying active while listening to their favourite music.